The Peak Design 45l Travel Backpack has garnered significant attention as a top-tier travel companion, and for good reason. After four years of extensive use as my primary backpack, I can confidently say it stands out as one of the best backpacks I’ve ever reviewed. However, no product is perfect, and the Peak Design 45L, while exceptional, does have a few minor drawbacks.
In this in-depth review, I aim to provide an unbiased perspective on the Peak Design 45L travel backpack, highlighting both its remarkable strengths and its few weaknesses. My goal is to equip you with the honest insights you need to determine if this backpack is the right choice for your travel needs.
To be completely transparent, this review is not sponsored. My opinions are based on my genuine experiences using the backpack over the long term. While there are affiliate links included, which help support this website, my primary motivation is to offer you a truthful and helpful assessment of the Peak Design 45L travel backpack.
Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack
Price: $299
View at Peak Design
The Upsides of the 45L Travel Backpack
- Exceptional Design and Aesthetics: The Peak Design 45L is meticulously designed with an eye for detail, showcasing numerous thoughtful and aesthetically pleasing touches.
- Versatility and Adaptability: This backpack offers impressive versatility, starting at a carry-on friendly 35L and expanding to a substantial 45L when you need extra space.
- Premium Materials and Robust Construction: Constructed from high-quality materials, the 45L travel backpack is built to last and maintains its shape even when not fully packed.
- Excellent Weather Resistance: Equipped with weather-sealed zippers and water-resistant fabric, this backpack provides reliable protection against rain and moisture.
Potential Downsides
- Easily Detachable Sternum Strap: The removable sternum strap, while convenient, can be prone to detaching and potentially getting lost if not carefully stowed away.
Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack
Price: $299
View at Peak Design
Who Should Consider the Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack?
The Peak Design 45L travel backpack is specifically designed for travelers who prioritize convenience, organization, and style, particularly those whose journeys involve air travel, taxis, and accommodations like hotels or bed and breakfasts. It excels in user-friendliness and efficient packing, making it ideal for navigating airports and urban environments. However, it’s not necessarily optimized for rugged outdoor adventures requiring highly technical backpacking features.
The Peak Design 45L is an excellent choice if:
- Carry-On Travel and Comfortable Accommodations: You primarily travel with carry-on luggage and prefer staying in hotels, B&Bs, vacation rentals, or similar accommodations.
- Suitcase-Style Backpack Preference: You desire a backpack that opens like a suitcase, offering ample packing space and the option to carry it independently or alongside rolling luggage.
- Tech-Savvy Traveler: You frequently travel with tech gear such as laptops, cameras, and accessories and need organized storage solutions.
- Frequent Traveler Profile: You are a weekend traveler, business traveler, digital nomad, or tourist seeking a versatile and reliable backpack.
However, this backpack might not be the best fit if:
- Extensive Hiking or Hostelling: Your travel style heavily involves prolonged hiking, staying in hostels, or carrying your backpack for extended periods. While the Peak Design 45L offers weather resistance and adequate comfort, it’s not specifically engineered for demanding adventure travel.
- Primary Need is a Daypack: You primarily require a smaller daypack for everyday use. The 45L is simply too large and heavy for daily commuting or short excursions. For daypack recommendations, you might want to explore dedicated daypack reviews.
Traveler with Peak Design 45L Backpack in Urban Setting
Key Features of the 45L Travel Backpack
The 45L Travel Backpack is packed with intelligently designed features. In fact, there are so many thoughtful details that watching Peak Design’s official tutorial videos is highly recommended to fully appreciate its capabilities.
Using this backpack is a genuinely pleasant experience, reminiscent of using well-designed tech products. The magnetic closures, hidden straps, and clever storage compartments contribute to a seamless and intuitive user experience.
What’s particularly commendable about its design is its restraint. Unlike some overly-featured backpacks, the Peak Design 45L avoids unnecessary gimmicks. It focuses on practical features that you’ll actually use, rather than flashy but ultimately pointless additions.
Despite its robust 400D nylon shell, which maintains its structure even when empty, the backpack weighs a manageable 2.05 kg (4.5 lbs).
Laptop and Tablet Compartment of 45L Backpack
Notable features include:
- Dedicated Laptop and Tablet Sleeve: Strategically positioned close to your back for optimal weight distribution, the padded sleeve includes a “false bottom” to protect your devices from impact when placing the backpack down.
- External Carry Straps: Two robust outer straps on the front of the pack allow you to securely attach items like a jacket or rain gear for easy access.
- Quick-Access Top Pocket: A conveniently located top pocket with a soft lining is perfect for storing sunglasses, phones, or other items you need to access quickly.
- Spacious Side Pockets: Two large side pockets are designed to accommodate water bottles, tripods, or other bulky items.
- Front Organizer Compartment: The front compartment features five internal sleeves for organizing smaller items, keeping your essentials neatly arranged.
The backpack’s most significant feature is its large, undivided main compartment. This open space allows for flexible packing and organization, enabling you to use packing cubes or organize your clothing and gear as you prefer.
The Peak Design Accessory Ecosystem
A major advantage of the Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack is its seamless integration with Peak Design’s extensive range of accessories. This ecosystem allows you to customize and enhance the backpack with perfectly sized and thoughtfully designed add-ons.
These accessories truly unlock the full potential of the 45L Travel Backpack, transforming it into a comprehensive and adaptable travel system. The toiletry bag, electronics pouch, and packing cubes are all crafted with the same attention to detail and are precisely dimensioned to fit within the backpack.
Peak Design Accessories: Electronics Pouch
Electronics pouch
Peak Design Accessories: Packing Cube and Wash Pouch
Large packing cube + wash pouch
Having used packing cubes and pouches from numerous brands, I can confidently say that Peak Design’s accessories are my absolute favorites. Their superior design and functionality are so impressive that even when I travel with a different backpack, I still rely on my Peak Design accessories for organization.
What sets Peak Design’s accessories apart is their use of lightweight yet durable materials that hold their shape, combined with flexible and adaptable internal divisions. I particularly appreciate the innovative “folders” incorporated into their wash and electronics pouches, which facilitate efficient organization without relying solely on zippers.
I highly recommend these three essential accessories:
- Packing Cubes: Peak Design packing cubes are exceptional. They are remarkably lightweight yet maintain their structure, making packing and unpacking a breeze. Each cube can be used as a single large compartment or divided into two sections for more organization. I personally use the Small Packing Cube for items like socks and underwear, while the Medium Packing Cube is ideal for neatly organizing shirts and similar garments for those who prefer meticulous packing.
- Wash Pouch: The Wash Pouch offers a multitude of storage compartments, including a unique magnetic-closure pouch perfect for small items like cotton swabs or contact lenses. The toiletry bag fits perfectly within the backpack’s front compartment and includes a convenient hook for hanging in bathrooms.
- Electronics Pouch: The Electronics Pouch is a game-changer for tech-heavy travelers. It provides ample storage and organization for cables, SD cards, adapters, and other electronic accessories. This pouch has been invaluable in preventing the frustration of losing small but essential tech components.
Peak Design Wash Pouch Interior Organization
Carry-On Compliance of the 45L Travel Backpack
Yes, the Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack is designed to be carry-on size compliant with most airlines. However, there’s a slight nuance to consider depending on how you use it.
In its default configuration, the backpack has a 35-liter capacity, which comfortably meets the carry-on size restrictions of virtually all airlines. If you require a bit more packing space, you can expand it to its full 45-liter capacity.
When expanded to 45L, the backpack might exceed the carry-on limits of some particularly strict airlines. However, in my experience, I’ve flown carry-on in 45L mode numerous times without any issues. The backpack’s design is visually compact, and as long as you avoid overpacking it, it generally doesn’t appear overly large. Officially, however, it’s technically over the limit for some airlines when expanded.
At its 35L size, it’s perfectly suited for weekend trips or week-long travels. I typically only expand it to 45L for trips lasting longer than a week.
Regardless of whether you use it in 35L or 45L mode, the backpack is designed to fit in overhead compartments. It will not, however, fit under the seat in front of you on most flights.
Long-Term Durability After 4 Years of Use
Having used the Peak Design 45L for four years, including since its initial release, I can speak to its long-term durability and performance.
I’m pleased to report that my early batch 45L pack is still in excellent condition and holding up remarkably well. All zippers are functioning perfectly, and I have encountered no durability issues whatsoever. Feedback from the travel community suggests that Peak Design is committed to product quality, and my positive experience seems to be consistent with others’. After extensive use, no aspect of the design has proven to be a long-term annoyance or flaw.
There is some minor fading noticeable on the front exterior, which is to be expected after taking the backpack on adventure trips to developing countries where it has been exposed to dirt and rough handling. This is not surprising and a testament to its use rather than a defect. It might simply be time for a thorough cleaning.
Comfort and Harness System
The harness system of the Peak Design Travel Backpack is a key consideration. While functional, it’s important to understand its design and limitations, especially if comfort is a top priority for you.
The harness includes padded shoulder straps, a sternum strap, and a waist strap to help distribute weight and enhance comfort. However, it’s designed for urban and airport travel rather than extended hiking or backpacking. For prolonged wear, it might not be the most comfortable option compared to backpacks specifically engineered for hiking.
Shoulder and Sternum Straps of 45L Backpack
The sternum strap, while adjustable and detachable, is a potential point of concern. Its detachability, while convenient for adjustment, also makes it easier to accidentally detach. If you plan to check this bag, it’s advisable to remove the sternum strap and store it in a pocket to prevent it from getting snagged or lost.
The waist straps are stowable and relatively thin. They provide basic support and weight distribution but are not comparable to the thick, heavily padded waist belts found on dedicated backpacking backpacks.
Peak Design has clearly prioritized aesthetics and a minimalist harness design, catering to the needs of most travelers who primarily engage in air travel, taxis, and hotel stays. This harness system is generally sufficient for these travel styles.
However, if your travel involves significant hiking, hostelling, or extended periods of carrying your backpack, more robust options like the Tortuga Travel Backpack (high-end) or the Osprey Farpoint 40 (budget-friendly) might be more suitable. These backpacks feature heavier-duty suspension systems designed for more demanding travel styles.
Additionally, when expanded to 45 liters, the added volume primarily increases the backpack’s depth, which can affect weight distribution. For optimal long-term carrying comfort, a backpack with a taller, less deep profile might be preferable.
Peak Design 45L Backpack Side Profile
Peak Design 45L vs. 30L Travel Backpack
In addition to the 45L version, Peak Design also released a 30L Travel Backpack. Having both versions, I can highlight the key differences.
Despite their similar appearance, the 30L and 45L versions are quite distinct in their purpose and feel.
The 30L version feels more like a larger daypack than a smaller travel backpack. I use the 30L primarily as a commuter bag for carrying my laptop, keyboard, notebooks, and other work essentials when working from co-working spaces. The 30L includes a smaller top-access organizer compartment, which is excellent for storing pens, USB drives, and small accessories.
I haven’t used the 30L for travel beyond weekend trips and likely won’t use it for longer journeys. It’s simply too small and not designed for extended travel needs. I consider the 30L to be more of a larger sibling to Peak Design’s Everyday line of packs rather than a smaller version of the 45L Travel Backpack.
Peak Design 30L Travel Backpack
Conclusion: Is the 45L Peak Design Travel Backpack Right for You?
Despite a few minor nitpicks, the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L remains one of my top three favorite backpacks overall. For many types of travel, it is, in fact, my absolute favorite backpack.
For budget backpacking trips or outdoor-focused adventures, I might opt for a more rugged backpack like the Osprey Farpoint 40.
However, for European vacations, work trips, family visits, or general urban and air travel, the Peak Design 45L is consistently my go-to choice. For these travel scenarios, I genuinely believe it’s one of the best travel backpacks available.
Where to Purchase the Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack
Peak Design primarily sells its products directly through their official website. I recommend purchasing the 45L Travel Backpack directly from Peak Design’s website as they offer free shipping and streamlined warranty management.
While some retailers carry Peak Design gear, they mostly stock their Everyday product line. The 45L Travel Backpack is not currently available on major platforms like Amazon. REI is another retailer that carries the 45L Travel Backpack, which might be advantageous if you are an REI member. Otherwise, purchasing directly from Peak Design is generally the most straightforward option.
Please note that some links provided are affiliate links, and I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. For more information, please refer to the site’s policies.
Originally Posted: July 4, 2023
